Chaz Manuel Jr. '19 Recruiting Profile

Learning I Can be Better Than Average

By

Chaz J. Manuel Jr.

Sitting at my desk, stomach turning and praying that I pass is how I remember starting tests. Ever since I can remember I have been told things like “You got this”, “You can do It” and “I believe in you.” Hearing these things from my mom and others who care about me means a lot but doesn’t carry much weight if you don’t be believe it yourself. I have always considered myself a C student which I seemed okay with as long as I was passing. Getting the occasional dollars for every A and B was satisfying, but I never thought I could be an all A or B student. I did enough to keep out of trouble so I can spend more time doing the things I wanted to do. It wasn’t until thoughts of college and the idea of being an actual adult I started to tell myself I can be and want to be better than average. Coming into high school, I was praying for easy classes, thinking that I am in for it. “High school is going to be hard, classes are going to be hard and I am not going to do well”, is what I would think. I always had my mom to help and good teachers who assisted me, but I still just believed that this work was just too hard, and I didn’t understand it. So, I decided to put my focus into sports. I felt that if I couldn’t get the grades, I would be the best football and track star in the school. So, I tried both sports and fell in love with track. I never missed practice even though I would sometimes miss class assignments. I would think to myself if I don’t have an F, I’m good. My mom would constantly tell me how important grades were and how if I didn’t change my thought process, I was not going to get into the college I want. The thought of not getting into the college I want didn’t scare me until my junior year. Hearing my mom tell me those dreadful words again affected me; it made me nervous. As I started visiting colleges, going to college fairs, I began to have a completely different feeling about school and being an average student. All I could think was that is it too late. Can I be better than average? I began to work at hard the end of my junior year. And I told myself my entire senior year I will be that A and B student I thought I could never be. Beginning my senior year with a low GPA I was determined to be better than average. My first quarter I made it to the honor roll list. I just began to feel differently about myself and not only wanted to be the best in Track & Field but in my academics as well. My study habits changed. I talk to my teachers if there is something I don’t understand and even manage to go to tutoring if I need it. I have also learned how to balance my time. I have just completed my 2nd quarter, and I am still on the honor roll with all A’s and B’s, now hearing things like “You got this” and “You can do it”, I believe and know I can. Looking back, I finally realize that I have always been better than average, but my own fear kept me back. The fear of failure, which would sometimes make my stomach turn, is what kept me from trying. I now know that I may not always be the best at everything, and I may not achieve every goal on the first try, but I will never stay defeated. I know that hard work pays off. I will continue to work towards my goals. Being accepted into your school is one of my greatest goals right now. If given the chance, the same hard work, dedication, and drive, I will add to your school of excellence.